Building New Bruce Roberts Euro2600...

[EURO2600]

I just bought the full cutting plans for the Euro 2600 from Bruce Roberts...

http://www.bruceroberts.com/public/HTML/EURO26.htm

I have never built a boat before so I am sure this will be another challenge of my life... I allways loved the impossible. However I do not like to make huge mistakes I cannot go back or cause I am not prepared for what is comming... Also let me say I am not cash loaded...

So first I would like to know some feedback from anyone that have built a Bruce Roberts Motoryacht. If you have anything on the Euro 2200 to 2600 line that will be even greater.

I will not buy the kit but send the parts for cutting...

So here some questions...

I am planning to hire a staff for 2 welder and 2 helpers. Also hire and nautical engineer to overlook the assembly...

1) how long do you realistic think it will take (total men hours) for the basic welding ?? and the full project ?

Do you think I am crazy ? Ok I know the answer... so let us go forward..

2) What do you think is best primer coating material for steel ? and for aluminum ? How about electrostatic powder coating .. what do you think ?

3) Do you have any crazy estimate on how much money will I spend considering everything needed, besides the steel, welding, painting, furniture, glasses and engine (all of them I have already an estimate ?

Any other warning, advise or whatever pls go ahead...


Tks...

[dick]

I have finished Euro 1000 to fit out stage basic construction took close to 1000 hrs by a profesional boatbuilder at my workshop second fitout and some basic timber work another 1000hrs and there still plenty to go,get the plates re nested blasted primed and cut locally and its half the price of buying the kit.

[Wynand N]

Whatever hours you arrived at - a least add half to that as a starting point, more better.

Cost: That's gonna be a long building time and prices you now have, will escalate dramatically over that period. For example; I had prices for steel mid December and promises were given that no increase in sight for at least 4 - 5 months. Mid January price up by 18%, again a few weeks later and another and by end May, price went up by 48%!
So had other materials and equipment also gone up since the costing of the boat and contract figures

Unforeseen factors; In my case again, the goon government in my country ****** up with affirmative action policies resulting in poor management and maintenance which they acknowledged later that was the cause for us nearly loosing the electrical grid. Had to do with minus 5 hour electricity working day for quite a stretch.

Logistics: Manufacturer of some equipment had a problem with its plant resulting in a three month delay which stopped worked around this item which again halted other work to follow...etc etc.

People; If you loose a key person, it is a mayor problem reflecting on progress negatively. Takes time to get a suitable replacement and then you still have a learning curve for him to get things on even keel again.

And there are more....

[ecflyer]

Sherwin-williams is the largest paint mfg in the world. Can you purchase their products at your location? If so, the absolute best paint proceedure is to not use any primer. Shot blast the steel and paint immediately (hours not days) with Sherwin-Williams 646 epoxy. This is especially great below the waterline. The professional steel boat blders all use this product here. I pay $45/gal for this paint verses Petit, Epifanes, Interlux @ $245/gal.

Good boat building
Earl

[KnottyBuoyz]

Originally Posted by EURO2600

3) Do you have any crazy estimate on how much money will I spend considering everything needed, besides the steel, welding, painting, furniture, glasses and engine (all of them I have already an estimate

We looked into building in steel a few years ago. A 36' trawler quickly costed itself out of our means. IIRC the price tag was closing in on $330,000 Cdn. We quickly had to reassess our needs and desires. If I were to hazard a guess an 80'er would cost (depending on level of fitout (workboat or yacht)) $1.5M +++ and that's if you pour a tremendous amount of your own sweat equity into it.

I've personally seen quite a few unfinished steel projects sitting in the yards rusting away. Talking to a few builders they say if you can't finish it in 5 yrs you never will. There are a few exceptions that I've seen where projects approached 7 yrs before being finished but they're rare.

If you've got some very deep pockets I'd say go for it!

[ecflyer]

I agree on the time frame. I have been working on my wood build for 3yrs-8mos. I have recently ben getting the feeling that I must complete it soon or it will never get done. There are days I just don't feel like working on it. I have started the 13 month countdown to launch. I am starting to let some of the work subcontracted out to get it done in a total elapsed time frame of 4years-9months. I recently realized that it's too big of a project for one man to do it all himself. I sense myself loosing interest and a half completed boat has almost no value. Financially then, I must complete the project.

Good boat building
Earl